Distracted by Madeline Sloane Page B

and sat, pulling
her onto his lap. Antique metal springs squeaked as he swung both
of their legs up and onto the bed. Erin closed her eyes and sighed,
warmth spreading as she pressed close to him. He muffled her lips
with his, cutting off a throaty gasp.
    “Spence. You’re not being fair.”
    He pushed up on one elbow and caressed her heaving
breasts.
    “I know. I’m sorry. I said I’d behave, but I don’t
think I can.”
    Erin sat up and looked out the window.
    “What’s Mariah going to think? She doesn’t know about
us, about you, except that you’re my job. We’re here to work.”
    Erin frowned and continued. “I can’t help the way I
react to you. It’s just a natural response because I’m a healthy
female and you’re a … ah …”
    He smiled and waited. “What am I?” he prompted,
stroking her hip.
    “You’re a sexy man and you know it. So quit using it
against me. You know I’m vulnerable and when you get me started I
can’t stop. Right in front of my sister, too!”
    Spence lightly kissed her. “I apologize. How can I
make it up to you?” he whispered, his lips against her cheek. Then
he grabbed her head and noisily smacked in her ear.
    She laughed and shoved him off of the bed. “A wet
Willie. That’s all I need,” she said, wiping her ear.
    Downstairs, in the kitchen, Mariah and Jerry heard
the thump. A body hitting the floor? The walls of the old farmhouse
were too thick to eavesdrop, but they recognized Erin’s giggle.
They smiled at each other.
    “Hey, as long as she likes him, it’s okay with me,”
Jerry said.
    “I know. It’s her life. But this thing with Aidan …
they still live together.”
    “They live in the same apartment. It’s not the same
thing,” Jerry said.
    “Yes, but it’s still complicated.”
    “Like I said, as long as she likes him and he likes
her.” Jerry looked up at the ceiling. “It’s their business. I don’t
like to get involved in other people’s business.”
    “You said that already. But she’s not ‘other people.’
She’s my sister!”
    “And she’s an adult. She’s taken care of herself for
the past ten years; she can take care of herself now. No meddling.
Leave them alone,” he warned.
    Mariah rolled her eyes at her husband.
    “I’m not a meddler. But I’m not going to let some
playboy artist use my little sister.”
    “I don’t think he’s using her.”
    “How do you know?”
    “Knowing your sister, I’m sure she’s got him wrapped
around her little finger.”
    Mariah chuckled at her husband’s opinion. Hopefully,
she thought, he’s right.
     
    * * *
     
    An hour later, Erin and Spence rounded the corner of
the barn. Ducks and chickens waddled about the yard, scratching and
pecking the ground. Marsh, the Australian Shepherd, walked behind
them, occasionally pushing Erin’s legs with his nose.
    “It’s his job,” Erin said at Spence’s quizzical
expression. “He thinks I’m one of the sheep and he’s trying to tell
me where to go. He’s not just a sheepdog, he’s also a good
babysitter. He always kept Mariah’s kids in the yard and out of
trouble.”
    “How many children do they have?”
    “They have three. They’re almost grown up now.
Mariah’s a bit older than I am, and she’s been married for more
than twenty years. Their oldest is Tom. He’s nineteen and at
college. Samantha, their second, is seventeen and she’s a camp
counselor during the summer. She’s been working at the camp across
the lake for three years. When she goes to college she’ll probably
study sports recreation. She’s the tomboy. Then there’s Benjamin.
He’s twelve. He’s here somewhere. I guess he has a lot of chores to
do during the summer and when he’s finished, he probably jets out.
I know I did.”
    “You grew up on this farm?”
    “Yes, it’s been in my family for more than a century.
When our parents retired, they moved to Florida. It is the law, you
know.”
    “Seems to be.”
    “Well, I was in college in